Indestructible safety mail box support



Aug. 11, 1936. G. J. DEAN 2,050,280

INDESTRUCTIBLE SAFETY MAIL Box SUPPORT Filed April 8; 1936 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 11, 1936. E v 2,050,280

INDESTRUCTIBLE SAFETY MAIL BOX SUPPORT Filed April 8, 1956 2Sheets-Sheet 2 v Inventm i g. $26M I V gfi aariwmm 5 Attomeyd;

Patented Aug. 11, 1936 UNITED ST -"res INDESTRUCTIBLE SAFETY MAILSUPPORT v Box George J, Dean, Pueblo, 0010.

Application April 8, 1936, Serial-No. 73,360

2 Claims. (01. 248-145) This invention relates to rural mail boxstructures and supporting means therefor, and has ref erence inparticular to a self-adapting, dangerproof post and arm assembly of asubstantially indestructible safety type.

Those familiar with supports utilized in this special line of endeavorare aware that, for the convenience of mail delivery, the posts areoften placed close to the marginal edges of narrow roads and lanes.Quite frequently the right angularly projecting mail box supporting arm,which is carried by the post, projects into the pathway of passing motorvehicles. Since the arm is generally rigidly attached to the post andthe box rigidly supported on the arm, the structure becomes a hazardousobstruction endangering passers-by and rendering itself liable to readydemolishment.

Taking into account the foregoing and other objections found inpresent-day post constructions, I have evolved and produced anarrangement which is substantially indestructible and properlysafeguarding in character in that the mail box supporting arm isswingably attached to the post and associated with spring return andcentering means and other devices whereby if struck by a passingvehicle, will simply be shoved out of the way and to thereafterautomatically return to normal centering position, while at the sametime avoiding accidents as well as impairment to itself.

My primary aim is to generally improve upon structural assemblies ofthis specific classification by providing a systematic simplifiedarrangement of structural features assuring success and eificiency inoperation and otherwise rendering the invention aptly fitted for theparticular purposes intended.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from thefollowing description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a support constructed inaccordance with the specific ideas and principles of the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is an end view thereof, that is, a view observing Figure 1 in adirection from left to right;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, detailing the pivotalball jointing and spring retention means;

Figure 4 is a horizontal fragmentary section showing the method ofanchoring one end of the automatic coiled return spring;

Figures 5, 6, and 7 are detail views.

Referring in particular to Figure 3, in conjunction with the othervfigures, it will be observed that the numeral 8 designates thestationary vertical tubular post. This is preferably anchored in aconcrete or similar base or foundation as indicated at9 in Figure 1. Itis provided at its 5 top with a closing lug or cap ID to permit accessto be had to the interior. Adjacent the top and in one side the post isformed with an aperture or hole I I with which the adapter brackets l2and I3 cooperate. The lower bracket I 2 is fixedly welded 10 orotherwise secured as at [4 to the post below the opening II and includesa substantially semispherical seat. The upper clamping and capformingbracket is of corresponding type, butis riveted or otherwise fastened tothe post in proper relationship as indicated at l5. These brackets serveto accommodate the ball jointing and pivoting head I6 formed as anintegral part of the coupling ll. This coupling unit is of tubularformation and the extension IT projects telescopical- 2O 1y into theinner end of the horizontal tubular arm 18 in a manner to accommodatethe automatic coiled return spring Ill. The outer eye 20 on the springis attached to a cross-pin 2! in the tubular arm and the inner eye isdetachably connected with the hook 22 on the adjustable anchoring boltcarried by thepost. The bolt is adjusted by a nut 23 whereby topermitthe tension of the spring to be satisfactorily and easily regulated fromthe outside of the post.

The mail box, which is conventional, is denoted by the numeral 24 and isattached to a supporting plate 25 appropriately fastened to the outerswingable end of the arm. On the outer end of the arm I provide safetyreflectors 26 to facilitate safe night driving.

The diagonal brace 21 has its outer laterally directed end 28 fastenedby a set screw 29 in an appropriate retention fixture 30 on the underintermediate portion of the arm. The opposite lower laterally directedend 3| is pivoted by a pin 32 between accommodation lugs 33 on theanchoring plate or bracket 34 attached to the post below the armpivoting or hinging means.

The gist of the invention, as is evident, resides in the provision of astationary post and a mail box carrying arm where the arm is hingedlyconnected at its inner end to the post, properly braced for stability,and provided with spring return means to bring about the desiredsubstantially automatic results. More specifically stated, noveltyresides in the telescopic jointing of the arm I8 to the coupling meansI! and the ball and socket connection between this part I! and thestationary post, wherein spring means extends through the couplingmeans, being attached to the arm at one end and adjustably anchored inthe post at the opposite end. These parts have been carefully selectedand mechanically coordinated to provide the requisite safeguardingresults.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawingswill enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore,a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within thefield of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. In a structure of the class described, a fixed upstanding post ofhollow form provided at its top with a closing plug and adjacent saidplug with a spring accommodation hole, a hooked adjusting and anchoringbolt attached to the post and projecting into the post in alignment withsaid hole, a tubular hinge forming fixture hingedly connected with thepost, a tubular arm connected with said fixture, and a coiled springanchored at one end in the arm and passing through said tubular fixtureinto the post, through the spring hole and attached to said hooked bolt.

2. An indestructible safety mail box support of the class describedcomprising a substantially fixed upstanding tubular post provided at itstop with a closing plug and in one side below said plug with a springaccommodation opening, an adjustable spring anchoring hooked boltarranged in the post in alignment with said opening and provided withexternally arranged and easily available adjusting means to regulate theposition of the hook within the post, exteriorly arranged upper andlower attaching brackets including semi-spherical companion socketmembers in registry with the spring accommodation opening, a tubularcoupling member having a ball jointing head at its inner end operativelyand swingably connected with the socket members, the bore of saidcoupling member being in registration with said spring accommodationopening, a tubular arm adapted to support a mail box, said arm havingsaid coupling member fitting telescopically therein, a coiled springanchored at its inner end on said hook and extending outwardly throughthe bore in said coupling member and attached at its outer end to theadjacent end portion of said tubular arm, and a brace carried by saidarm depending therefrom and pivotally attached to the post.

GEORGE J. DEAN.

